Telegraph plans to pay more to 'top talent' and bring in hot-desking to reduce size of London office

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The Telegraph is to focus on “keeping hold of top talent” and enhance its existing graduate scheme while undergoing a restructure that it claims will bring in a culture of “smart working”, according to a leaked email to staff.

The proposed changes, were sent to staff by Murdoch MacLennan, chief executive of the Daily Telegraph’s parent company, Telegraph Media Group, following a strategic review by professional services firm Deloitte.

MacLennan said in an email reported by The Guardian: “We are reviewing enhancements to our remuneration, benefits and reward packages to enable us to recruit and retain top talent in the business at every level. Similarly we will look to enhance our highly successful graduate scheme to ensure we attract the best new talent from universities and colleges.”

The publisher also unveiled its intention to “help start up businesses in the digital space” with the launch of the Telegraph Innovation Fund. “Some of these exciting new ventures will work alongside us [at Buckingham Palace Road], allowing their expertise and creativity to mix with our experience and own talent for innovative content creation,” said MacLennan.

The announced “smart working” changes, including hot-desking and flexible hours, will focus on the paper’s headquarters at Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria.

The staff canteen, funded by the Telegraph and which serves other firms within the building, will be cut and replaced with three kitchens and break-out areas with microwaves and fridges.

MacLennan said: “Our office is never full and even on a very busy day a large number of desks are unused. With changes in the way we work, and hot-desking for some of those who need to be in the office, we will be able to reduce the size of our footprint [at Buckingham Palace Road].”

He added: “I believe that this will allow many of us to have a better work-life balance and I hope you will welcome this modern, employee-friendly approach that is so much in line with the changes in the media world.”